Shaila: a female name of Sanskrit origin meaning "This name derives from the Sanskrit “Śaila", meaning “mountain”".It derives from the Sanskrit word "Śaila".
Shaila has maintained its appeal as a feminine name in modern times while preserving its Sanskrit roots. Today, parents are drawn to its meaningful essence of "This name derives from the Sanskrit “Śaila", meaning “mountain”" and its cultural richness. This name bridges traditional heritage with contemporary naming trends.
Quick Facts About Shaila
Quick facts about Shaila
Origin
Sanskrit
Gender
Girl name
Popularity
Moderately popular
Researched by Name Doctor Linguistics Team
Our names are verified by professional linguists with expertise in etymology and cultural naming traditions.
Last reviewed: November 2025
Meaning
This name derives from the Sanskrit “Śaila", meaning “mountain”. This is another name of the Hindu goddess Parvati. Parvata is one of the Sanskrit words for "mountain"; "Parvati" translates to "She of the mountains" and refers to Parvati being born the daughter of Himavan, lord of the mountains and the personification of the Himalayas. Other which associate her with mountains are Shailaja (Daughter of the mountains), Adrija or Nagajaa or Shailaputri (Daughter of Mountains), 'Haimavathi' (Daughter of Himavan) and 'Girija' or 'Girirajaputri' (Daughter of king of the mountains).
Etymology & Details
Name Root
Śaila
Other Scripts
Indian (hindi) (शैल) Indian (Bengali) (শৈলা) Indian (Tamil) (ஷைலா) Indian (Punjabi) (ਸ਼ੈਲਾ)
How to Pronounce Shaila
Shaila is pronounced /ˈʃeɪ.lə/
Step-by-step pronunciation guide:
Break it into syllables: Shail-a
Say it like: "SHAIL-A"
Practice saying it naturally a few times
✓Pronunciation verified by linguistic sources
Usage & Popularity
Shaila is predominantly used in indian speaking communities, where it maintains strong cultural connections and traditional significance.
indian
Frequently Asked Questions About Shaila
What does the name Shaila mean?
Shaila means "This name derives from the Sanskrit “Śaila", meaning “mountain”. This is another name of the Hindu goddess Parvati. Parvata is one of the Sanskrit words for "mountain"; "Parvati" translates to "She of the mountains" and refers to Parvati being born the daughter of Himavan, lord of the mountains and the personification of the Himalayas. Other which associate her with mountains are Shailaja (Daughter of the mountains), Adrija or Nagajaa or Shailaputri (Daughter of Mountains), 'Haimavathi' (Daughter of Himavan) and 'Girija' or 'Girirajaputri' (Daughter of king of the mountains).". The name comes from Śaila. In its original form, the name derives from Śaila (शैल). This sanskrit name has been passed down through generations, carrying its meaning across different cultures and time periods. Parents who choose Shaila for girls often connect with the name's meaning of "This name derives from the Sanskrit “Śaila", meaning “mountain”. This is another name of the Hindu goddess Parvati. Parvata is one of the Sanskrit words for "mountain"; "Parvati" translates to "She of the mountains" and refers to Parvati being born the daughter of Himavan, lord of the mountains and the personification of the Himalayas. Other which associate her with mountains are Shailaja (Daughter of the mountains), Adrija or Nagajaa or Shailaputri (Daughter of Mountains), 'Haimavathi' (Daughter of Himavan) and 'Girija' or 'Girirajaputri' (Daughter of king of the mountains)." as a quality they hope to see in their child. While not the most common choice, Shaila's meaningful roots have given it staying power among parents looking for a name with substance.
What is the origin of the name Shaila?
Shaila is a sanskrit name. The name traces back to Śaila. The original form Śaila (शैल) shows the name's roots in its native language. In its native script, Shaila is written as Indian (hindi) (शैल) Indian (Bengali) (শৈলা) Indian (Tamil) (ஷைலா) Indian (Punjabi) (ਸ਼ੈਲਾ). The name remains closely tied to indian naming traditions while occasionally appearing in other cultures. The sanskrit meaning "This name derives from the Sanskrit “Śaila", meaning “mountain”. This is another name of the Hindu goddess Parvati. Parvata is one of the Sanskrit words for "mountain"; "Parvati" translates to "She of the mountains" and refers to Parvati being born the daughter of Himavan, lord of the mountains and the personification of the Himalayas. Other which associate her with mountains are Shailaja (Daughter of the mountains), Adrija or Nagajaa or Shailaputri (Daughter of Mountains), 'Haimavathi' (Daughter of Himavan) and 'Girija' or 'Girirajaputri' (Daughter of king of the mountains)." reflects values important in the culture where this name first appeared.
Is Shaila a boy or girl name?
Shaila is a girl's name. This traditionally feminine name has been chosen by parents for daughters across many cultures and time periods. In sanskrit tradition, Shaila has historically been given to girls. The meaning "This name derives from the Sanskrit “Śaila", meaning “mountain”. This is another name of the Hindu goddess Parvati. Parvata is one of the Sanskrit words for "mountain"; "Parvati" translates to "She of the mountains" and refers to Parvati being born the daughter of Himavan, lord of the mountains and the personification of the Himalayas. Other which associate her with mountains are Shailaja (Daughter of the mountains), Adrija or Nagajaa or Shailaputri (Daughter of Mountains), 'Haimavathi' (Daughter of Himavan) and 'Girija' or 'Girirajaputri' (Daughter of king of the mountains)." carries well for a daughter, giving the name lasting appeal.
How do you pronounce Shaila?
Shaila is pronounced "/ˈʃeɪ.lə/". This pronunciation follows sa language patterns. In its original script, the name appears as Indian (hindi) (शैल) Indian (Bengali) (শৈলা) Indian (Tamil) (ஷைலா) Indian (Punjabi) (ਸ਼ੈਲਾ), which helps explain how native speakers pronounce it. As a single-syllable name, Shaila is quick to say and easy to call out. If you're unfamiliar with sanskrit names, listening to a native speaker say Shaila can help you catch the right rhythm and emphasis. The name's root Śaila influences how Shaila sounds in its original language.
How popular is the name Shaila?
Shaila is somewhat common, familiar to most people. With moderate popularity, Shaila offers familiarity without being everywhere. It's the kind of name people recognize but don't hear every day. Shaila's popularity may vary between sanskrit communities and the broader population, where naming trends differ. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Sanskrit “Śaila", meaning “mountain”. This is another name of the Hindu goddess Parvati. Parvata is one of the Sanskrit words for "mountain"; "Parvati" translates to "She of the mountains" and refers to Parvati being born the daughter of Himavan, lord of the mountains and the personification of the Himalayas. Other which associate her with mountains are Shailaja (Daughter of the mountains), Adrija or Nagajaa or Shailaputri (Daughter of Mountains), 'Haimavathi' (Daughter of Himavan) and 'Girija' or 'Girirajaputri' (Daughter of king of the mountains)." likely influences its appeal, as parents often choose names that express values or hopes for their children. Among girls' names, Shaila holds its own, appealing to parents who value distinctive options.
Where is the name Shaila commonly used?
Shaila is used primarily in indian naming traditions. Though sanskrit in origin, Shaila found a home in other cultures where it resonated with local naming preferences. The meaning "This name derives from the Sanskrit “Śaila", meaning “mountain”. This is another name of the Hindu goddess Parvati. Parvata is one of the Sanskrit words for "mountain"; "Parvati" translates to "She of the mountains" and refers to Parvati being born the daughter of Himavan, lord of the mountains and the personification of the Himalayas. Other which associate her with mountains are Shailaja (Daughter of the mountains), Adrija or Nagajaa or Shailaputri (Daughter of Mountains), 'Haimavathi' (Daughter of Himavan) and 'Girija' or 'Girirajaputri' (Daughter of king of the mountains)." carries universal appeal, helping explain why different cultures adopted Shaila into their naming traditions. A child named Shaila will likely find their name recognized in multiple countries, which can be an advantage for families with international connections or who value global accessibility. Across these cultures, Shaila is given to girls, maintaining consistent gender association.
Sources: Etymology verified through linguistic research including Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Behind the Name, and academic etymology databases.